Hangzhou

Famed for some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole of China, stunning Hangzhou is the cultural capital of Zhejiang province. Merchant traveller Marco Polo dubbed it 'the finest and most noble city in the world' and we’re sure you'll leave equally spellbound.

1/6Discover why Marco Polo described tranquil, green Hangzhou as the most beautiful city in the world

2/6Take a water bus and cruise down Hangzhou’s Grand Canal to the spectacular stone Gongchen Bridge

3/6Constructed in 326 AD, Hangzhou’s Lingyin Temple is one of China’s oldest and largest Buddhist temples

4/6Catch a superb sunset over Hangzhou’s West Lake, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011

5/6Learn the Legend of the White Snake at Hangzhou’s Leifeng Pagoda, where the ancient scholar Xu Xian was said to have imprisoned the snake demon Bai Suzhen

6/6Taste Hangzhou’s famous Longjing Tea which is grown in a picturesque small village just three kilometres southwest of West Lake

1/6

Discover why Marco Polo described tranquil, green Hangzhou as the most beautiful city in the world

2/6

Take a water bus and cruise down Hangzhou’s Grand Canal to the spectacular stone Gongchen Bridge

3/6

Constructed in 326 AD, Hangzhou’s Lingyin Temple is one of China’s oldest and largest Buddhist temples

4/6

Catch a superb sunset over Hangzhou’s West Lake, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011

5/6

Learn the Legend of the White Snake at Hangzhou’s Leifeng Pagoda, where the ancient scholar Xu Xian was said to have imprisoned the snake demon Bai Suzhen

6/6

Taste Hangzhou’s famous Longjing Tea which is grown in a picturesque small village just three kilometres southwest of West Lake

Some half a century ago, the local authorities submerged a valley and its many villages to build the Qiandao Lake. More than 1,000 former peaks are now islets, making the location ideal for sightseers as well as fishermen.

A stroll around Xihu is the best way to enjoy this most famous of Hangzhou's attractions. There are 10 notable stopping points on the way, each having its own poetic description. Start at "Remnant Snow on the Bridge in Winter" and head to "Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn" and "Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer" before entering "Dawn on the Su Causeway in Spring" and taking in the view at "Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond" and "Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset". Then listen to birdsong at "Orioles Singing in the Willows" for a melodic completion of your journey.

Tucked away on Bapanling Road near the Yanggong dike, Jiexianglou looks like an ordinary house with its wooden door and brick path, but the appearance is deceptive: the restaurant serves up homemade Hangzhou dishes in a refined ambience of fine dining.

An ancient Buddhist temple established 1,700 years ago, Lingyin rose to fame after the celebrated monk Ji Gong received his tonsure here. Many legends and tales come from this historic spot, while nearby is Feilai Feng mountain, home to some 340 finely carved Buddha statues.

Please note that for online bookings, infants under two will not occupy their own seat. To book an infant-occupied seat, or if your infant turns two during your trip, please contact your local reservations office.